Hydro must break up: Neufeld
June 29, 2002
According to Energy Minister Richard Neufeld, the crown corporation monopoly is hurting BC.
Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun ... article
Killing the gorilla is bad zoo policy ... letter

Most British Columbians oppose privatizing BC Hydro June 22, 2002 According to a recent McIntyre & Mustel poll, 67% of British Columbians totally disagree with privatizing BC Hydro, and a further 9% have some uncertainty. McIntyre & Mustel ... poll results

Click for more

A new era for Power in B.C.
June 22, 2002
Marked recently by inaction and indecision, British Columbia's energy policy is nearing a historic crossroads, although no one knows where it will lead
Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun ... article
letter

Williams plans to sell $3 billion in assets June 18, 2002 TULSA, Okla. -- Williams (NYSE: WMB) today announced it plans to offer for sale its Memphis and Alaska refineries and related petroleum assets. It is estimated the businesses will be sold by the end of this year for more than $1 billion. PR Newswire ... article Infoglobe articles on Williams ... click here

Click for more

Sumas plant a longshot, say analysts
June 11, 2002
Power plant lacks business case
"we rate this project as a very low percentage on probability of go-ahead," Rick Kunz, director of energy marketing for Mirant Americas Energy Marketing
Tracy Tjaden, Business in Vancouver ... article
If there isn't a business case for SE2 then how much worse are the economics for VIGP at Duke Point? Could this explain why Hydro's having to do this project on their own now? And who is going to pick up the tab for this pig in a poke?

Premier takes Sumas 2 opposition directly to the Governor
May 27, 2002
...state of the art combined cycle turbines will have a major role in new electricity generation, regulatory approvals must take into account the environment in which they will operate. In the case of Sumas 2, the province is particularly concerned about the Lower Fraser Valley airshed and its capacity to absorb additional emissions. ... significant concern because of our growing understanding of the health effects of pollutants such as fine particles and ozone ... British Columbia fully recognizes its own opportunities for action ... For example, BC Hydro committed several years ago not to build additional thermal power plants in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed.
Premier Campbell & WLAP Minister Murray to Governor Locke ... PDF

GSX hearing remains suspended in new schedule
May 31, 2002
The CEAA-NEB Panel reviewing the proposed GSX Pipeline project have published a new schedule continuing the review, but have stopped short of a new date for the hearing. The Panel expects that prior to the commencement of the oral hearing, GSX PL will provide evidence that consultation has been carried out.
A0E1Y5 Letter from Joint Review Panel ... PDF
A0E1Y7 Related Information Request to Province of BC ... PDF
GSXCCC News Release ... HTML

End-use emissions will be considered in GSX review
May 31, 2002
The CEAA-NEB Panel reviewing the proposed GSX Pipeline project have decided that end-use emissions of the gas transported in the proposed pipeline, will be considered in their review. Under the NEB Act emissions from the proposed Duke Point plant will be considered. Under the CEA Act, it appears that the effects of combustion of all the gas to be transported will be considered as part of cumulative effects assessment. The Panel has not yet decided how it will consider those effects, under either act, nor what "weight" it will apply to them.
NEB News Release ... PDF
Conclusions & Revised List of Issues ... HTML
A0E1W1 Letter from Joint Review Panel ... PDF
A0E1Y9 Related Information Request to GSX-PL ... PDF
GSXCCC News Release ... HTML

Good energy: Standing O in Nanaimo
May 28, 2002
Dr. Mark Jaccard received a standing ovation from about 500 people at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo, after his presentation of a low-emission alternative to BC Hydro's polluting natural gas generation strategy.
Tom Hackney ... article
Nelson Bennett, Nanaimo Daily News ... article
John Kimantas, Nanaimo News Bulletin ... article
BC Electricity Options, Dr. Mark Jaccard & Rose Murphy ...PDF

Save energy, save $
May 23, 2002
...energy conservation is changing from a nice-to-have situation espoused by environmentalists to a hard-headed business decision that can save companies and consumers billions of dollars.
Tony Wanless, The Province ... article

EFSEC recommends approval for Sumas Energy 2
May 24, 2002
SYNOPSIS: The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council has reviewed Sumas Energy 2, Inc.’s Second Revised Application for site certification ... and recommends approval of the Application to the Governor of the State of Washington.... The Applicant has significantly revised its proposed project to respond to the concerns of EFSEC, parties to the adjudicative process, and the public. It has offered improvements that would result in an energy benefit for the region and that would reduce negative impacts on its neighbors and on the environment. It has offered to provide offsets for much of its air pollution and some of its greenhouse gas emissions and has offered mitigation of impacts of concern as expressed by the Council in its prior Order.
EFSEC news release ... PDF
EFSEC Sumas Energy 2 website ... click here
SE2-GASP website ... click here
Let's see. BC provides the gas that SE2 needs.  BC Hydro provides the interconnect to the transmission grid.  The people of the Fraser Valley get the pollution.  The Fraser River gets the water effluent.  Meanwhile, Sumas and Washington State get the taxes and the jobs, and NESCO reaps the profits. How colonial will BC allow itself to become?

MacPhail says cross out the GSX project
May 22, 2002
MacPhail  raised concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, and a growing number of scientific studies that point to them as a legitimate cause of global warming
Jennifer Hourihan, News Leader ... article

Gas leak forces evacuation
May 16, 2002
A sour gas leak from a Duke Energy 45-centimetre pipeline on Wednesday afternoon caused traffic delays and evacuations in Fort St. John
Dana Graham, Alaska Highway News ... article
Response to leak questioned
Dana Graham, Alaska Highway News ... article

FERC releases Enron memos
describe trading practices, implicate Powerex
May 10, 2002
Recent evidence indicates that BC Hydro's Powerex used questionable trading practises in California in the winter of 2000-2001. Will lawsuits follow? Will damages and refunds match the $300 million that California currently owes? The whole sordid team is here: Enron, Williams, Calpine, and Powerex.
Derrick Penner, Times Colonist ... article
Kathryn Kranhold & Rebecca Smith, Wall Street Journal ... article
Wendy Steuck, Globe and Mail ... article
Enron memo, FERC, Dec 8, 2000 ... PDF
Enron memo, FERC, Dec 6, 2000 ... PDF
Competition Bureau investigated Enron & Powerex for collusion,
in Alberta, Dec 20, 2000 ... release

Bill 38, Environmental Assessment Act
May 9, 2002
Bill 38, a new Environmental Assessment Act, was tabled in the BC legislature today.
EAO backgrounder to Bill 38 ... click here
Bill 38, Environmental Assessment Act ... click here
Bill 38, 1st Reading, May 9 ... click here
Bill 38, 2nd Reading, May 14 ... click here
Bill 38, 2nd Reading continued, May 15... click here
West Coast Environmental Law Ass'n assessment of Bill 38 ... click here
No project committees, no fixed process, no right of appeal. Hell, if the EAO feels like it, they can waive the environmental assessment process altogether. Project applicants rejoice! A new era of environmental exploitation at hand. Another new error, indeed.

Hydro dumps plant partner
May 9, 2002
BC Hydro and Calpine have failed to reach a deal on the Duke Point generation project. Ted Olynyk, a BC Hydro spokesman, said the Crown corporation will assume the American energy company's 50 per cent interest in the $300-million project. "Due to confidentiality agreements, and the commercial nature of the deal, we can provide no details or reasons for the termination of the partnership,"
Norman Gidney, Victoria Times-Colonist ... article
Robert Barron, Nanaimo Daily News ... article
Which came first? Calpine has been cancelling orders for dozens of turbines right across North America as debt mounts and as electricity prices moderate. Hydro has a history of screwing up business relationships with partners. The people of BC deserve to know the real cost to buy Calpine out.

New study questions natural gas pipeline
May 4, 2002
Generating electricity on Vancouver Island with natural gas delivered via pipeline across the Georgia Strait ... may not be the best option, according to a new study prepared by Rose Murphy and Dr. Mark Jaccard.
Harvey Enchin, Victoria Times-Colonist ... article
BC's Electricity Options - the report ... PDF

US may enact price subsidy for natural gas at $3.25 mcf
April 25, 2002
The gas line tax incentive provides a tax credit to producers if the price of natural gas falls below $3.25 per thousand cubic feet. Producers will be expected to pay the credit back in full whenever the price of gas exceeds $4.85 tcf. The bill also includes a revised loan guarantee where the government could pick up some $8 billion of the first $10 billion of the cost of the line, in the event that unexpected energy price drops make the line uneconomical.
Frank Murkowski, Alaska Senator ... news release
Emily Yearwood, Canadian Press ... article
Dan Morgan, Washington Post ... article
Stephen Hume, Vancouver Sun ... column
The implications for the economics of GSX are that gas prices will be unable to drop below $3.25, higher than the energy policy task force's $3 and Hydro's $2.50.

GSX Coalition fundraiser stunning success
Apr 27, 2002
COBBLE HILL, April 27 — The room was full, the music was grand, and the generosity of people was profound. The Good Energy Fundraiser went well beyond organizers most optimistic hopes. Thanks to all the people involved, but especially to Dodie Miller, Randy Schultz, and Roger Foucher.
Evita Jackson Poster ... click here
Newspaper Ad ... click here
Entertainment Lineup ... click here

B.C. Hydro close to privatization deal to Anderson Consulting
Apr 20, 2002
B.C. Hydro expects to sign a memorandum of understanding by the end of May with Accenture, a major US management and technology service company formerly known as Anderson Consulting.
Jim Beatty, Vancouver Sun ... article

Time running out for Arthur Andersen settlement talks
Apr 20, 2002
In January, Andersen acknowledged that its Houston offices shredded audit documents and deleted computer files related to energy giant Enron Corp.'s audits after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission started looking into Enron's murky accounting last October. Andersen is burdened by shareholder lawsuits, a federal indictment for obstruction of justice, a loss of clients that forced thousands of layoffs and the defection of partners from about two dozen countries
Kristen Hays, Canadian Press ... article

Hydro privatization unplugged by ruling
Apr 20, 2002
TORONTO -- An Ontario judge has ruled that the province cannot sell Hydro One, throwing the largest privatization in Canadian history into turmoil.
Paul Waldie, Globe & Mail ... article

Senate Blocks Drilling in Alaska Wildlife Refuge
Apr 19, 2002
WASHINGTON, April 18 — Undercutting President Bush's energy policy, the Senate sided with environmentalists today and blocked oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Richard Rosenbaum, New York Times ... article
Eric Pianin, Washington Post ... article

Panel postpones GSX hearing, perhaps for a long time
Apr 16, 2002
CALGARY – The Joint Review Panel for the Georgia Strait Crossing Pipeline Project has postponed commencement of its public hearing scheduled for 17 June 2002. A new date will be announced. The issues: Panel will not have made its ruling on its jurisdiction and the scope of the review until mid-May, and GSX PL will have to ensure that evidence of Crown consultation (with First Nations) will be filed prior to the hearing.
NEB News Release ... PDF
NEB Order and Request for Comment ... PDF

Conventional natural gas supplies not enough
Apr 16, 2002
HOUSTON, Apr. 16 -- Conventional natural gas supplies will not be enough to meet the North American market's demand for gas over the next decade.
Steve Poruban, Oil and Gas Journal ... article

Pipeline explosion in Manitoba calls for safety review Apr 15 & 16, 2002 BROOKDALE, Man. (CP) - Officials with TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. still did not know Monday evening what caused a natural gas pipeline to explode the night before, forcing about 100 people from their homes. The federal government must do more to prevent explosions of natural gas pipelines that cross the country CanadianPress ... news item CanadianPress ... call for safety review

A ball of flame can be seen about two kilometres away as a natural gas pipeline burns in Brookdale, Man. late Sunday, April 14, 2002. (Brandon Sun - Ben Loewen)

Duke Point selected for plant
Apr 11, 2002
The Vancouver Island Generation Project announced Wednesday it has entered into an option-to-purchase agreement with Pope and Talbot to purchase property at Duke Point. The property on the Harmac pulp mill site is intended to house a $300 million, 265-megawatt, natural gas-fired electricity generating facility.
Times Colonist ... article

Hearing shows the gas isn't just in the greenhouse
Apr 11, 2002
"...the GSX would be a financial blunder more than 10 times worse than former New Democratic premier Glen Clark's fast ferry fiasco"
Stephen Hume, Vancouver Sun ... column

4 power providers are sued by state
Apr 10, 2002
The state is seeking more than $1 billion in penalties, combined, from Coral Power, Mirant Corp., Powerex Corp. and Williams Energy Marketing and Trading, Attorney General Bill Lockyer said in a Tuesday morning press conference. "We've done a very thorough and rigorous investigation, and we've got them," Lockyer said. "We've got hard evidence that they were ripping us off."
Carrie Peyton, Sacramento Bee ... article
Paul Vieira, National Post ... article

Offshore answer long way off
Apr 10, 2002
Environment Minister David Anderson says a long and costly analysis will be required before there is any decision on lifting the moratorium on oil and gas drilling off the Queen Charlotte Islands.
The Province ... article

Executives break ranks, rally support for Kyoto
Apr 8, 2002
Montreal philanthropist Stephen Bronfman, above, and Husky Injection Molding chief executive Robert Schad are at the core of a group of pro-Kyoto businesses leaders. The group, E-mission 55 Canada, is headed by Ottawa lobbyist Jean Paul Sirois.
Kate Jaimet, OttawaCitizen ... article
Kate Jaimet, OttawaCitizen ... Robert Schad article

Wind power now a lot more realistic than 'exotic'
Apr 5, 2002
At this week's dedication of the 400 tower Stateline Wind Project, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber said "We're seeing the world change. Our fossil fuel supplies are going to diminish. We are beginning to feel the pressures of global warming."
"Wind is right there in the competitive range," said Steve Wright, boss of the Bonneville Power Administration.
Joel Connelly, Seattle Post-Intelligencer ... article
So close to BC geographically, so far apart in mindset.

B.C. close to unlocking oil riches
Apr 8, 2002
OTTAWA - A deal which would allow oil and gas companies to tap into British Columbia's offshore riches could be only weeks away, ending a long-standing moratorium on exploration off the province's Pacific coastline. Gordon Campbell, the B.C. Premier, ... is optimistic he will strike an agreement with the federal government.
Alan Toulin and Paul Vieira, National Post ... article

BC challenges Fed's authority on environmental assessments
Apr 4, 2002
On 9 and 10 April, at Mary Winspear Community Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC, commencing 10:00 a.m ...legal counsel to the Province of BC is expected to argue that the Panel has no authority to review emissions from the end use of the gas that would be transported in the GSX pipeline. BC claims that because the gas would be burned in provincially regulated gas plants (or under other provincially governed circumstances), the federal government would infringe provincial jurisdiction by assessing the emissions. This constitutional argument strikes at the heart of the federal government’s ability to make meaningful environmental assessments
GSXCCC Media Release ... Word doc

Antarctic ice shelf breaks apart
Mar 19, 2002
"[It is hard] to believe that 500 billion tonnes of ice sheet has disintegrated in less than a month." The climate on the peninsula has changed rapidly in the last 50 years. The region has experienced a 2.5 degree Celsius rise in average temperatures - an increase greater than for any location in the Southern Hemisphere.
BBC News ... article
Go Hyrdo Go! It's not too late to become part of the solution.

GSXCCC submission on jurisdiction & scope
Mar 18, 2002
The CEAA-NEB Joint Review Panel has asked if they have the authority to include end-use emissions in their consideration of environmental effects of GSX, and if they can consider end-use emissions, should they. This submission from GSXCCC, prepared by counsel William Andrews, answers a resounding "yes" to both questions. Backed up by affidavits on alternatives, by Dr. Mark Jaccard, and demand side management, by Thomas Hackney
GSXCCC submission ... Word doc
Jaccard affidavit on alternatives ... Word doc
Hackney affidavit on DSM ... Word doc

Energy policy task force remains adamant
Mar 16, 2002
In spite of widespread criticism, the B.C. government's panel on energy policy is reportedly sticking to its guns that B.C. Hydro be privatized and provincial electricity rates hiked.
Ian Mulgrew, Vancouver Sun ... article
Long on gas and coal, short on good ideas, this is a policy that was designed long before the Liberals were elected, and bullied into existence by Gordon Campbell and others on and off the task force. British Columbians will pay a lot more for electricity in the future, but the increase in costs won't underwrite a renewable energy program, they'll go straight to corporate bottom lines.

Proposed gas pipeline would pass through ecological reserve
Mar 15, 2002
A new route for a proposed natural gas pipeline to Vancouver Island would cut through an ecological reserve south of Saltspring Island. Peter Ronald, Georgia Strait Alliance marine habitat campaigner, says the pipeline should stay out of the reserve.
Carla Wilson, Times Colonist ... article

Don't allow Williams pipeline - Bellingham Herald
Mar 10, 2002
As Williams continues to push forward with its plans for a pipeline to run through Sumas, under the Strait of Georgia and into Vancouver Island, criticism and concerns are growing - and with good reason. This editorial board has consistently opposed a pipeline that gives Whatcom County all of the risk and none of the benefit.
Editorial, Bellingham Herald ... article

It's unanimous at AVICC: Don't privatize BC Hydro
Mar 10, 2002
A late motion put forth by North Cowichan opposing the sale of BC Hydro assets was approved unanimously at the AVICC (Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities) AGM this weekend in Campbell River. Not quite so successful, was a motion from the City of Nanaimo supporting BC Hydro's GSX Pipeline proposal - it passed with a 64-52 vote after a lively discussion.
Hydro should not view this as a victory - many of those 64 delegates were caught by Hydro's threat of power outages, and had no opportunity to understand the reasons why the gas strategy is a bad idea. Give them time, and information, and this vote would not happen again.

Hundreds attend meeting against Nanaimo gas plant
Mar 8, 2002
Close to 400 people attended a meeting sponsored by the Nanaimo Citizens Organizing Committee at Beban Park auditorium Thursday night. Gerry Scott, head of the David Suzuki Foundation Climate Change Campaign, pointed at the economic, greenhouse gas, and health risks of gas-fired generation, then turned to the jobs and health benefits of alternatives, including conservation. Why would you choose the risky, costly, unhealthy option? Poetry, music, a profound video presentation, and the Raging Grannies filled up an informative evening, setting the stage for next steps in building an informed public opposition to a gas plant.

Wind power farm proposed near QC Islands
Feb 19, 2002
Proposing to build the biggest wind power "farm" in Canada off the Queen Charlotte Islands, Uniterre Resources Ltd. signed an agreement for the proposed Nai Kun offshore 700-megawatt project with engineering conglomerate ABB, in Berlin Tuesday during Prime Minister Jean Chretien's trade visit to Germany.
Malcolm Curtis, Times Colonist ... article
Canadian Press, Vancouver Sun ... article
It's about time! Come on, BC Hydro and wind entrepreneurs, let's get going on Vancouver Island's big wind projects. ABB and Uniterre think there's more wind potential in BC than Hydro would like us to believe.

Bonneville Power will look at alternatives to transmission lines
Feb 13, 2002
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Bonneville Power Administration wants to involve citizens, interest groups and utilities earlier when planning new transmission lines. The agency will also test possible alternatives to building transmission lines, BPA officials say.
The Bonneville Power Administration ... news release
Instead of ramming misguided natural gas projects through Vancouver Island communities, BC Hydro and the provincial government might take some clues about consultation from BPA.